California Attorney General Rob Bonta, joined by the attorneys general of 16 other states and the District of Columbia, filed a federal lawsuit on December 16, challenging what they describe as the Trump administration’s unlawful attempt to stop funding for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure programs authorized by Congress.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, targets actions taken by the U.S. Department of Transportation to halt approvals and funding under two programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program and the Electric Vehicle Charger Reliability and Accessibility Accelerator Program.
According to the complaint, Congress appropriated billions of dollars for these programs, but the Department of Transportation has refused to approve new projects or obligatory funds without issuing a formal rule, providing notice, or offering a legal justification. The states argue that this pause effectively suspends the programs in violation of federal law.
Attorney General Bonta stated that the administration does not have the authority to override congressional spending decisions and called the funding freeze illegal. He said the halt threatens to delay the deployment of EV charging infrastructure, undermine efforts to reduce air pollution, and disrupt investments intended to support clean transportation and job creation.
“The Trump Administration is unlawfully withholding funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law — investments Congress approved to build America’s EV charging network, reduce pollution, and create thousands of good-paying jobs. We won’t stand for it,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
The complaint alleges that the administration’s actions violate the Administrative Procedure Act and the U.S. Constitution by usurping Congress’s power of the purse. The states are asking the court to declare the actions unlawful and to order the federal government to resume the administration and funding of the programs as required by statute.
California stands to receive significant funding through these programs to support charging infrastructure projects, including those serving underserved communities and improving the reliability and accessibility of existing charging stations.
The lawsuit seeks injunctive and declaratory relief to prevent further withholding of funds and to ensure that the programs are implemented as Congress intended.
California and 16 other states, along with the District of Columbia, filed a federal lawsuit on December 16 challenging the Trump administration’s decision to stop funding EV charging infrastructure programs.
The lawsuit targets the U.S. Department of Transportation’s refusal to approve or obligate funds under two programs created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The states allege the funding freeze violates federal law, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the U.S. Constitution by overriding Congress’s spending authority.
California officials argue the halted funding delays EV charging deployment and undermines projects authorized and funded by Congress.
